by Gary Johnson
Eaglettes Challenge State Power
Hendersonville--There's an old saying in competative sports that "you get better by playing better competition."
When Shelbyville soccer coach Neal Gordon was developing the Eaglettes' schedule after advancing to the sub-state round last year, he had that saying in the back of his mind.
The Eaglettes played Franklin, the state's most successful soccer program, to a 3-2 decision on Saturday then fell to tournament host Hendersonville 5-2 on Sunday.
The match with Franklin on Saturday had the atmosphere of a state tournament.
"I just can't say enough about our match with Franklin," Gordon said. "It was one of the best, if not the best match we've ever played in the history of our program. We took the lead, then they came back and evened the score, then we fell behind for the first time this season. I was kind of worried that we might fold against a team like Franklin, but we came back and tied the score at 2-all."
Franklin followed with what proved the game-winner, but what a performance by the Eaglettes.
2005/08/30 The Shelbyville Times Gazette
2005/09/04 Review-Appeal
Lady Rebel humbled by illness, hobbled by injury
Lady Rebel Stephanie Dunham tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, had surgery shortly after and has been going through rehab three times a week since then to recover. Time to adjust For the former prolific striker, who burst onto the scene in 2002 as a freshman and took home state tournament Most Valuable Player honors in addition to helping her team win back-to-back state titles, being at a Franklin game in street clothes instead of on the field has been a humbling experience.
2006-2006 Franklin Yearbook
This year's season for the Franklin Lady Rebels was one of which the girls should be proud. They had an overall record of 11 wins, 6 loses, and 3 ties. The team succeeded in scoring a total of 48 goals. Their hard work, talent, and endless practice allowed them to continue the winning tradition for which the girl's soccer team is known. In the District Quarter Finals, the girls were able to shut out Hillwood High School 4-0. Unfortunately, they were defeated in the Semi-Finals when they lost to Brentwood after an agonizing game that ended 0-1. Nevertheless, Junior Chelsea Eisnaugle said, "It was a wonderful season".
Leading the way Seniors Taryn Holland, Lexi Heileman, Anna Perrigan, Jessie Green, Gabby Mayer, Jeannie Fox, Sarah DeFatta, Whitney Henson, and Monicah Dunham willingly led the 2005 Lady Rebels through a great season.
Senior Taryn Holland
Senior Anna Perrigan
Senior Sarah DeFatta
Senior Lexi Heileman
Senior Whitney Henson
Junior Sarah Sharp
Sophomore Meghan Mace
Freshmen Lucy Brient x 2
Freshman Michelle Stigliano
2006/05/04 The Tennessean
Lady Rebel going to the 'Dogs
Franklin High School senior Taryn Holland signed a leter of intent with Mississippi State on Feb 1.
Seated are Taryn Holland and Robbin Holland and standing, from left are Franklin
High School soccer coach Jimmy Burchett, Impact Premier coach Laban Defriese,
former coach James Carbine, and Lady Rebels soccer team bus driver Tom Leeton.
2006/05 Franklin Life Newspaper
Local Sports Profile - Taryn Holland
Even though she was just a diminutive 5-year-old, Taryn Holland knew she had found her calling when she first laid hands on a ball.
Following years of practice and a successful career at Grassland Middle School, the burgeoning athlete turned her gaze toward high school sports.
"I started out when I was about 5", recalled the 5 foot, 10-inch, Franklin High School senior. "I'd play soccer and basketball. I was looking forward to playing high school sports after a good season in the eighth grade."
Holland said the rush she experiences from defending goals on a soccer field or driving into the paint for a basket before a roaring crowd is like no other.
"I like the speed of the basketball", she reflected. "It's the rush of playing. As a goal keeper, there's no other position like mine. There's nothing like hearing people cheer after defending a goal."
Holland carved her accomplishments into the annals of Franklin High School sports both on the soccer field and on the basketball court.
During the 2003 state soccer playoffs, Holland only allowed one goal scored on her. During the versatile athlete's junior and senior years, she helped lead Franklin to the district tournament where the Lady Rebels ousted Centennial and Brentwood, followed by an eyebrow-raising victory over then-undefeated Hillsboro High School.
As the 17-year-old senior prepares to leave her successful years at Franklin High School in the rearview mirror of her memories, Holland has no intention of hanging up her running shoes anytime soon.
"I'm going to be playing soccer at Mississippi State", she said with hand-rubbing anticipation. "I'm really looking forward to that".
Holland is the daughter of Bill and Robbin Holland of Franklin.